HALIFAX — Residents in the Maritimes and eastern Quebec are bracing for heavy rain and strong winds on Friday, with Hurricane Melissa playing a partial role in the weather conditions. Forecasts indicate that New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island could see rainfall amounts ranging from 30 to 50 millimeters, with some areas potentially receiving more.

Southeasterly winds are expected to gust between 70 to 80 kilometers per hour across the region, with western Cape Breton experiencing even stronger winds, reaching up to 110 km/h from Margaree Harbour to Bay St. Lawrence.

Environment Canada has noted, “There remains some uncertainty as to where the highest rainfall amounts will occur, but the potential exists for significant totals over some locations.” They also advised residents to secure outdoor items, such as Halloween decorations and garbage bins, to prevent them from being blown away in the strong winds.

In eastern Quebec, significant rainfall combined with strong northeasterly winds is anticipated on Friday and Saturday. Environment Canada stated, “The path and intensity of the precipitation (in Quebec) remain uncertain. The system that will affect Quebec could also be influenced by the remnants of Hurricane Melissa.”

The Canadian Hurricane Centre in Halifax reported that a large, low-pressure system is expected to move over the northeastern United States, drawing in tropical moisture from Hurricane Melissa as it approaches Canadian waters. Meteorologist Chris Fogarty explained, “It will be a wet and windy Halloween and start to the weekend for many, and for the most part, all that weather will not be from the hurricane.”

Fogarty also mentioned that while Melissa’s wind circulation is expected to stay offshore, recent weather models suggest the storm may track closer to eastern Newfoundland than previously forecast. Some models predict that the center of what is likely to become a post-tropical storm could approach or move over eastern Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula on Saturday, which could bring additional wind to that area.

In the Caribbean, Hurricane Melissa has caused significant destruction, impacting Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica. The storm made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane, with winds reaching 298 km/h. In Haiti, at least 25 fatalities have been reported due to flooding in Petit-Goâve. Cuba has seen collapsed houses and blocked roads, with approximately 735,000 people seeking shelter. Jamaica has also faced widespread power outages and communication disruptions.

As the situation develops, meteorologists will continue to monitor the storm and update forecasts as necessary.